Heritage (Tourism) Opportunities in Hawaiʻi (HŌʻIHI) NATIVE Act Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations | D22AS00295

Opportunity Information: Apply for D22AS00295

The Heritage (Tourism) Opportunities in Hawai'i (HOIHI) NATIVE Act Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, administered through the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR) in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED). It is intended to carry out the Native Hawaiian organization (NHO) provisions of the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act), under CFDA 15.068. At its core, the program is meant to support a more inclusive national travel and tourism approach by investing directly in Native Hawaiian organizations so they can strengthen cultural tourism in ways that are led by the community, grounded in Native Hawaiian knowledge, and beneficial to local economic well-being.

The program focuses on helping NHOs build capacity to broaden the reach of traditional and cultural practices by creating, implementing, or improving visitor engagement programs. Rather than funding generic marketing or tourism promotion, the emphasis is on culturally rooted experiences that are authentic and respectful, where visitors learn directly from knowledgeable practitioners and come away with a deeper understanding of Native Hawaiian culture and Hawai'i. The opportunity is framed as a way to both protect and sustain cultural distinctiveness and to generate tangible community benefits such as job creation, expanded economic opportunity, stimulated local economic activity, and improvements in living standards within the Native Hawaiian community.

Funded projects are expected to do three main things. First, they must educate visitors about a specific traditional Native Hawaiian cultural practice, including its history, how and why it is used, and the protocols and responsibilities that go with it. Second, they must actively engage visitors in that practice so the experience is hands-on and first-hand, building real appreciation rather than passive observation; in some cases, the program anticipates that participants may produce tangible items or outputs connected to the practice as an appropriate part of the learning experience. Third, projects should include related activities that communicate respect and reinforce reciprocation, meaning visitors are guided to understand relationships of responsibility to place, natural resources, and the knowledge holders and practitioners who sustain the tradition, with attention to the long-term sustainability of the practice itself.

The solicitation gives a broad view of what may qualify as a Native Hawaiian cultural practice for purposes of this program. Examples include traditional farming and food preparation, gathering materials and creating tools, products, or adornments, and cultural expressions and skills such as dance, chant, song, arts, construction, and recreation. The intent is to support programs where the NHO already has demonstrated expertise and is ready to expand or enhance visitor-facing engagement in a way that remains culturally appropriate and community-centered.

Eligibility is geared toward Native Hawaiian organizations and related entities described in the notice, with eligible applicant categories including Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, certain nonprofits that may not have 501(c)(3) status, and other eligible applicants as clarified in the full opportunity materials. For FY 2022, the program anticipated making around 12 awards, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $150,000 per grant.

Key administrative details in the announcement include the funding opportunity number D22AS00295, with applications required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on the listed deadline (originally June 7, 2022, for this initial announcement). The Department of the Interior also notes that it may revise, cancel, or withdraw the solicitation, which is standard language for federal funding opportunities.

• The Department of the Interior in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Heritage (Tourism) Opportunities in Hawaiʻi (HŌʻIHI) NATIVE Act Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.068.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 07, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 07, 2022 Applications must be submitted electronically to the Grants.gov website no later than 500 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time (HST), on the listed application due date above.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for D22AS00295

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